Computer Science
Our aim through Computer Science and ICT is to equip every student with the skills they need to survive in an ever-increasing digital world while allowing leaners to develop their computational thinking skills to support learning and progress across all subjects.
Curriculum Plans
Year 7, 8 & 9
What are we studying?
See curriculum plan above.
How are we assessed?
End of unit assessments to test knowledge and / or skills
What can parents do to help?
Encourage use of computers to develop confidence when using a range of software.
Discuss safety issues and share strategies for staying safe online.
Discuss progress with units of work and encourage children to find out more about the topics they are covering.
Encourage use of programming software and opportunities
available online, example Hour of Code.
Use of teach-ict which has support tutorials, activities and revision material to support learning.
Encourage students to participate in enrichment and competitions.
Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities
- Data Scientist.
- Software Developer.
- Information Security Analyst.
- Computer Systems Analyst.
- Web Developer.
- Sales Engineer.
- Information Technology Manager.
- Computer Research Scientist.
Year 10 & 11
At Key Stage Four, students have the option to continue their studies in Computer Science by studying GCSE Computer Science. (OCR J277).
Computer Science will encourage students to:
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation • analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs
- think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
- understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
- understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society
- apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.
What are we studying?
See curriculum plan above.
How are we assessed?
Assessments throughout the delivery of learning objectives and mock examinations.
Paper 1 and Paper 2 formal examination at the end of the course.
What can parents do to help?
Encourage use of computers to develop confidence when using a range of software.
Discuss safety issues and share strategies for staying safe online.
Discuss progress with knowledge for the examinations and encourage children to find out more about the topics they are covering.
Encourage use of programming software and opportunities available online, example Hour of Code.
Use of teach-ict which has support tutorials, activities and revision material to support learning.
Encourage students to participate in enrichment and competitions.
Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities
Success in this qualification can give you the opportunity to study Level 3 courses in the 6th Form such as the Cambridge Technical course or a Computing Course. This course naturally leads into any career path which involves computing, including work in cyber security and network management.
Year 12 & 13
What are we studying?
See curriculum plan above.
How are we assessed?
Year 12
Unit 1 Mock November
Unit 1 Formal Exam January
Unit 1 Second attempt (Resit) Exam June
Coursework completed to meet learning objectives and assessment criteria.
Year 13
Unit 2 Mock November
Unit 2 Formal Exam January
Unit 2 Second attempt (Resit) Exam June
Coursework completed to meet learning objectives and assessment criteria.
What can parents do to help?
Help students to organise time to meet revision schedules or coursework deadlines.
Monitor use of ‘My Revision Notes’ – including self-study, test yourself and practice examination questions.
Further notes and guidance, lesson notes and support posted in TEAMS.
Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities
The pathway students are studying is for Applications Developer. Typical job roles within this pathway include; Junior Web Application Developer, Junior Application Developer or Junior Software Analyst.
This qualification is for learners 16 years old or over who prefer to study IT in a context that allows them to learn and be assessed in ways that are practical and relevant to the IT sector. This qualification is not just about being able to use computers. Employers have told us that they need people who are able to help them develop their systems or the systems for their customers, use IT as a tool to analyse data and develop applications. Therefore, this qualification is designed to give learners a range of specialist knowledge and transferable skills in the context of applied IT, providing them with the opportunity to enter an apprenticeship, move directly into employment, or progress to a related Higher Education (HE) course. Learners could progress onto a Level 4 apprenticeship such as Network Engineer or Software Developer or into employment in the IT sector in areas such as technical support, digital technologies, application development or data analysis.
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